A baby's first tooth is an exciting milestone for parents. The timing of baby teeth varies from baby to baby; differences of a few months are usually normal. In this article you can find the approximate order in which baby teeth come in and what to keep in mind during this time.
Roughly when do baby teeth come in?
- Lower central incisors: 6–10 months
- Upper central incisors: 8–12 months
- Upper and lower lateral incisors: 9–16 months
- First baby molars: 13–19 months
- Baby canines: 16–23 months
- Second baby molars: 23–33 months
All 20 baby teeth are in place by around 2.5–3 years in most children. These are average times; in some babies the first tooth appears at 4 months, in others after 12 months.
Why do differences occur?
- Family traits (the parents' teeth coming in late or early)
- Birth weight and premature birth
- Nutrition
- Rarely, some general health conditions
What happens when the first tooth is coming in?
More drooling, putting things in the mouth, slightly swollen gums and fussiness are common. For ways to soothe, see our article on coping with fussiness during teething.
Why do baby teeth matter?
- They allow chewing and feeding.
- They contribute to speech development.
- They hold space for the permanent teeth and guide them into the right position.
Early loss of baby teeth can lead to a lack of space and orthodontic problems later. That is why protecting baby teeth from decay is important.
Caring for the first teeth
- Before teeth appear, you can wipe the gums with a clean, damp cloth.
- When the first tooth appears, brush twice a day with a soft baby brush and a rice-grain-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste.
- Avoid letting your baby fall asleep with a bottle.
- Do not put sugary drinks in the bottle.
The first dental visit
A visit after the first tooth appears, and no later than the first birthday, matters both for assessing oral health and for guiding parents on care. These visits also help the child get used to the dentist.
